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Forever 21 doesn't last very long in Downtown Crossing
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Yow
All of 4 months? How does that happen? Took longer to renovate the place than it was open for...
Forever downtown a bit longer than that
They opened in April of last year, so more like a year and change, but still, given how much they probably put into the space, that's something.
ahhh
Biz journals had just said 'april' with no year...
Forever Downtown
is a much better brand name than Forever 21.
Always Surprised
Always surprised at how empty this place was compared to Primark.
That was their problem
Primark basically gave them the Amazon/Walmart treatment.
They are closing
The chain is closing hundreds of stores nationwide, about 1/3 of their total, so it's perhaps not that surprising
In a way not surprising.
In a way not surprising. Aren't millennials (F21's targeted demographic) attracted to so called fast fashion retailers such as Primary and Zara? Isn't F21 more of a traditional retailer such as A&F as far as catering to a younger demographics?
F21 is actually one of the
F21 is actually one of the original fast-fashion retailers, that's why they became so popular.
Forever 21 is the definition
Forever 21 is the definition of fast-fashion.
Also
The definition of cheap clothing.
20,000 isn't even that big. A
20,000 isn't even that big. A few years ago, they were opening 100,000+ stores.
Not surprised
As a frequent shopper of primark/h+m/forever21 and all the other fast fashion lines, I can't say I'm surprised by this. This store did the same layout h+m did across the way. The men's department was terrible, everything was a "basic" meaning simple lines, or very little detail. The women's section was no better and only glazed over by most of its shoppers. The store has a funky floor plan and had a perpetual humidity and heat problem.
When I pop into these stores downtown it's because im looking for something flashy, impulsive, and even questionably stylish. They didn't take chances with this store and tried to compete with Primark which can somehow sell a tshirt for $3.
Had Forever 21 marketed to
Had Forever 21 marketed to the young professionals in the area, they may have survived a little longer. They always overlooked this sect because H&M and Zara had us covered. But Primark pushed H&M out of DTX and I don't know how well Zara is doing, currently.
Primark's womens business causal selection is pure crap. Shiny blouses, ill-fitting trousers and blazers -- just an awful selection. I could always count on H&M for slacks, blouses, and shirts in my size when I needed to pick up something during lunch or right after work. And they would still be trendy and cute. Don't like what's in store right now? Come back in two weeks for a new selection.
But what about Macy's? Have you been inside a Macy's lately? That place is depressing, you can never find a cashier, and the layout is horrible. The slow death of the place is just painful.
But what about Marshall's/T.J. Maxx? Good luck finding slacks if you're on the opposite ends of the clothing size spectrum. And then good luck finding slacks that are actually in a cut that is flattering to your body, since they receive old stock and factory made clothing.
Macy's DTX
You are right about the Macy's DTX, alas. But, why? With the glaring exception of the South Shore Plaza location, suburban Macy's stores are fine, with decent clothing selection/deals. The DTX location should be the flagship store for the region, but it is far from it. I once found a perfect-fitting pair of black slacks on a rack, but was told by a sales clerk that I couldn't buy them because they didn't have a tag. Still can't believe that one.
Simple rule
If something doesn't have a tag, it's either free or priceless. In your case, the clerk obviously thought the latter.
lol it should have been sold
lol it should have been sold to you. I've done two stints at Macy's and we're supposed to match the item of clothing as best as we can. Sometimes it's in your favor, sometimes not, but either way Macy's wants to make a sale and that sales clerk should have sold the item to you.
Macy's
The Macy's in the CambridgeSide Galleria is the same as described above by 2. Horrible.
My biggest peeve with Marshalls
is their obsession with constantly changing the store layout. I go into the one in Stoneham about once every six months , and everytime I find the place has been completely rearranged in terms of departments.
Forever 21 closed at Arsenal Mall in Watertown, too
It was a big store with two floors. Lack of business may not have been the cause of this closing, however. Many stores there have closed over the past few months in preparation for forthcoming redevelopment into Arsenal Yards (a non-mall).
I think Athena is just
I think Athena is just waiting for the leases to expire so they can rebuild the place.
Athena Health isn't the developer of Arsenal Yards
They have offices nearby in another part of the old Watertown Arsenal, but it's a separate ownership and management.
I think pretty much everything in the mall except Marshall's, Gap Outlet, and maybe Ann Taylor and Chipotle, will be closing soon. in order to facilitate redevelopment. Old Navy is closing there on July 27.
Separate developments, owners in common
According to the Arsenal Yard FAQ, separate owners (mall not closing btw) but Athena owner part of mall purchase along with the Arsenal, apt bldg btwn, Saab dealership, etc. part of overall master plan according to stories at the time properties were bought. Interesting a company that is a middleman for processing (rejecting) medical claims for health insurance companies making record profits can afford all this. And people wonder why insurance and healthcare costs are so high?
https://arsenalyards.com/new-page-1/
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/07/01/boy...
Arsenal Mall
The mall may not be strictly "closing", but it consists now of four parts:
- an old building now containing only Home Depot and Old Navy. Home Depot, which has no entrance to the interior mall corridor, is staying where it is. Old Navy is closing this Friday, July 27. The people inside told me it will be replaced by a movie theatre and bowling alley.
- another old building whose first floor now contains only Marshall's, Chipotle, Gap Outlet, Bella Mundo, and Ann Taylor Factory Store. I think all of these are staying open while redevelopment occurs, but it's possible that entrances will shift around during construction.
- a food court on the second floor of that building, containing Burger King, Subway, Master Wok, and a locally-run coffee stand. The old Boston Garden scoreboard hangs from the ceiling here. The second floor of the now-closed Forever 21 was also here. This food court is staying open for now, but I suspect it will eventually close for redevelopment.
- a modern connector between the two old buildings, where most of the mall's smaller shops are. This will be demolished soon, so all of the shops still open there will have to close. It has been steadily emptying out over the past few months.
Fast Fashion?
Primark does a superior job vs Marshalls, TJ Max, etc. Old Navy in DTX isn't that bad. H&M needs to up their game.
I agree, Primark has some poor quality stuff, and it's obvious corners are cut (cost saving measures?) by having 'fitted', 'slim' clothes. But i like that you can go in their and find ' regular fit' (or slim/skinny) fill-in-the-blank, socks, underwear, shirts, etc., with little trouble. And obviously, prices are second to none.
But the world needs more than Primark, Walmart and Amazon. Not healthy.